Council officials haave been trying to attract more retailers to Edinburgh at an international property event.

The delegation from City of Edinburgh Council met with several top retailers at the Mapic event in Cannes, France, this week to highlight the 'string of pearls' concept designed to revive Princes Street.

Thedesign will see the famous street developed in sections, with aspirations to include high street shopping, boutique stores, al fresco dining and a cultural quarter.

As well as promoting Princes Street, the Edinburgh delegation will also try to win investment for the rest of the city centre.

Tom Buchanan, the council's economic development convener, said: "This is an important commercial opportunity for Edinburgh as Mapic brings together the biggest names in retail real estate from around the world.

"We have been meeting hundreds of individual retailers and development financiers over the past two days through networking or as they visit Edinburgh's trade stall.

"Usually it would take months to arrange meetings with the range of contacts we have made here.

"We are focused on promoting the best Edinburgh has to offer, and in particular our plans for redeveloping Princes Street, which offers prime development opportunities for potential developers and investors."